Doomed by your goals?

Recently several people have told me they do not want to set goals. When I ask why, the response is either that if they set the goal too high they will be discouraged when they do not meet it and if they set the goal too low, it won’t feel like an achievement. And anyway, what if a GREAT opportunity comes along, they would be restricted. Doomed any way! So the easy solution is to just not set them…

Here is a slightly different way to look at goals and how they can serve you.Directional goals: For example, you have a goal to get to Albuquerque (or have a sales target etc.). The mode of transport; the length of time the trip takes; the route you take; who does/not travel with you are all open to your choice – the only ‘must’ is that you will end up in Albuquerque!

Attitudinal goals: Another aspect is to set attitudinal goals – how would you like to BE for this day / week / month / year? We are, after all, human BE-ings, not human DO-ings! This can be rather fun as you think about what the best BE-ing state is for the things you have to DO. Might it be best for you to be: appreciative; charming; hopeful; joyful or upbeat? For additional enjoyment, you can see if those closest to you can guess what emotion you are being!

Finally – get ADOCTA! This will assist you with the terminal goal killer of thinking that being off course, or making changes means you have failed. IT DOESN’T – it just means you are learning and adjusting is required for final success. The steps to ADOCTA are: Action – decide on an action to take: Do – one step / action which you think will move you towards your goal: Observe – what was the outcome from that action, what actually happened? Consider – did it take you closer to (or away from) your goal? Tweak – do you need to amend / repeat / reinforce before you… Action – take another action step. In this formula, there is NO failure – you are just discovering and learning how to achieve your goal.

Make a Mind Chi Maplan: Here is an example comparing a current non-goal setting situation and the effects of the desired goal setting life. Copy it, stick it up to remind you that goals can bring you much success and happiness. Please tell us your goal stories!